ISSL Reflections May 21 2023 Acts 8:26–39 Post 2

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IV.
What have you noticed about the Ethiopian?

What stands out to you?

V.
Acts 8:26-39 (NRSVue)

Then an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get up and go toward the south[a] to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is a wilderness road.) So he got up and went. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, the queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning home; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah.Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over to this chariot and join it.” So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” He replied, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him. Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this:

“Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter,
     and like a lamb silent before its shearer,
          so he does not open his mouth.
In his humiliation justice was denied him.
     Who can describe his generation?
          For his life is taken away from the earth.”

The eunuch asked Philip, “About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus. As they were going along the road, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?” He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; the eunuch saw him no more and went on his way rejoicing.

VI.
Let’s see – He is an Ethiopian and not an Israelite; he is a high ranking official in the royal court; if he is incharge of the treasury, I suspect he has proved himself worthy of trust; it appears he has gone to Jerusalem for the Passover, so maybe he is already a proselyte to Judaism or interested in being such; he has a copy of the scroll of Isaiah (or at least a portion of the scroll of Isaiah) when I suspect most people did not have access to such; he is a eunuch.

I find it interesting that at Deuteronomy 23:1 eunuchs are prohibited from the “assembly of the Lord,” and at Isaiah 53:6-8 a time is referenced when they are included.

Maybe he thought the time was nearing when he could be fully included in the “assembly of the Lord”?

Was it near?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections May 21 2023 Acts 8:26–39 Post 1

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I.
As we spend time with this passage, notice the description of the one talking with Philip.

II.
Acts 8:26-39 (NRSVue)

Then an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get up and go toward the south[a] to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is a wilderness road.) So he got up and went. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, the queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning home; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah.Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over to this chariot and join it.” So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” He replied, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him. Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this:

“Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter,
     and like a lamb silent before its shearer,
          so he does not open his mouth.
In his humiliation justice was denied him.
     Who can describe his generation?
          For his life is taken away from the earth.”

The eunuch asked Philip, “About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus. As they were going along the road, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?” He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; the eunuch saw him no more and went on his way rejoicing.

III.
We have the recounting of a conversation and “bible study” between Philip (one of the initial twelve called by Jesus to follow him) and a chariot passenger.

How is the chariot passenger described?

Notice where he comes from, where he has been, his “job,” and what he asks of Philip.

Why do you think such details are important?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections May 14 2023 Acts 3:1–11 Post 3

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VII.
As we give this passage our attention today, let’s walk with Peter and John to afternoon prayers at the Temple.

Try putting yourself alongside them and pay attention to who you see, what you and Peter and John talk about on the way to the Temple, who else is going to afternoon prayers and most of all to the disabled man who “[fixes] his attention” on Peter, John and you.

VIII.
Acts 3:1-11 (NRSVue)

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, at three o’clock in the afternoon. And a man lame from birth was being carried in. People would lay him daily at the gate of the temple called the Beautiful Gate so that he could ask for alms from those entering the temple. When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked them for alms. Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. Jumping up, he stood and began to walk, and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. All the people saw him walking and praising God, and they recognized him as the one who used to sit and ask for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, and they were filled with wonder and astonishment at what had happened to him.

While he clung to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s Portico, utterly astonished.

IX.
It is likely that there were set times for morning, afternoon and evening prayers at the Temple. Faithful Jewish men would often go to one or more of these times of prayer. Peter and John count themselves not only as disciples of Jesus but also as observant Jewish men who take Temple prayer seriously.

And this day they are interrupted on the way to their time of prayer.

How do you feel about the interruption? Would you rather just pass by the man who is hoping to receive some coins from you? Or, would you give him a few coins so you could get on to the important work of afternoon prayer?

Peter and John didn’t ignore him but rather “looked intently at him.”

How easy is it for us to ignore people when we think we have more important things to do? Like going to a prayer service at church?

Peter and John offered the man what they had – a healing word from Jesus, and then helped him to his feet.

Consider what Jesus might be asking you to offer those you meet on your way.

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections May 14 2023 Acts 3:1–11 Post 2

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IV.
Today, let’s take some time to pay attention to the interaction of Peter and John with the disabled man.

V.
Acts 3:1-11 (NRSVue)

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, at three o’clock in the afternoon. And a man lame from birth was being carried in. People would lay him daily at the gate of the temple called the Beautiful Gate so that he could ask for alms from those entering the temple. When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked them for alms. Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. Jumping up, he stood and began to walk, and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. All the people saw him walking and praising God, and they recognized him as the one who used to sit and ask for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, and they were filled with wonder and astonishment at what had happened to him.

While he clung to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s Portico, utterly astonished.

VI.
So what happens?

Well, they ask for his attention, “… Look at us.”

Apparently the disabled man takes this as a promising sign, “And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them.”

But his expectations are short lived, “Peter said, ‘I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you …‘”

This man’s daily routine seems to ask for alms from those who go to the Temple to pray. How often did he receive alms? How often was he ignored by those on the way to pray to God?

This day he receives a “gift” – “‘… but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.’ And he took him by the right hand and raised him up…”

On the part of Peter there is no, “I’ll pray for your healing when I am in the Temple.” Or, “Trust God for your healing.” Or, “Have a blessed day, just trust God.”


Peter tells him to “stand up and walk.” Please notice what is next, “And he took him by the right hand and raised him up…”

Is it enough to tell someone to pray? Is it enough to tell someone to stand on their own two feet?

Or maybe our call to be disciples of Jesus includes our helping folk to their feet.

How might you enter into such a helping ministry?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections May 14 2023 Acts 3:1–11 Post 1

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I.
As we turn our attention to this account in Acts, pay attention to the people and the actions.

Take time to get the entire scene in your mind. Visualize the people mentioned, the places named and the interactions between these folks.

II.
Acts 3:1-11 (NRSVue)

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, at three o’clock in the afternoon. And a man lame from birth was being carried in. People would lay him daily at the gate of the temple called the Beautiful Gate so that he could ask for alms from those entering the temple. When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked them for alms. Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. Jumping up, he stood and began to walk, and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. All the people saw him walking and praising God, and they recognized him as the one who used to sit and ask for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, and they were filled with wonder and astonishment at what had happened to him.

While he clung to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s Portico, utterly astonished.

III.
Where are Peter and John headed to? Why are they going there? Where did they come from?

OK, the last question is not referenced in this Scripture, and not explicitly in the preceding sentences (Acts 2:43-47) either, but maybe the preceding passage offers some suggestions.

Did you notice, “… at the hour of prayer, at three o’clock in the afternoon.”

This suggests to me they are going to pray in the Temple at one of the designated “hour(s) of prayer.” If you transferred this to our context, we would probably say Peter and John were on their way to a service of afternoon prayer at “church.”

Who and what stops them on their walk to their Temple prayers?

With those thoughts in mind, return to the passage and read it once again and pay attention for anything new you notice.

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections Acts 2:1–8, 14–24, 37–40 Post 3

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VII.
As you have already taken time to reflect on this passage, what has been the “hinge” for you that helps you enter into the entire passage.

WIth that hinge in mind, spend time with the passage once again.

VIII.
Acts 2:1-8, 14-24, 37-40

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

Now there were devout Jews from every people under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language?

But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Fellow Jews and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

‘In the last days it will be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.
Even upon my slaves, both men and women,
in those days I will pour out my Spirit,
and they shall prophesy.
And I will show portents in the heaven above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and smoky mist.
The sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.
Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

“Fellow Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know— this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. But God raised him up, having released him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power.

Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.” And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”

IX.
When I look at this Scripture, I find of first importance the words, “… all of them were filled with the Holy Spirit …”

But let’s take one step back today and take into account what we read last week,

“… wait [in Jerusalem] for the promise of the Father…. you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” (Acts 1:4-5)

Here we are told that 10 days after these words were spoken, those assembled were filled with the Holy Spirit.

Wouldn’t it be great if all waiting was resolved in 10 days? But it doesn’t happen that way all the time, does it?

The disciples were not given a formula to bring upon themselves the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. They were told to wait for “… not many days from now.”

I try to take encouragement from this.

While I may not like it at times, often my task is to wait. Not always, but sometimes the most important thing I can do is to wait. Wait with expectancy. Wait with trust. Wait for what God will bring next.

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections Acts 2:1–8, 14–24, 37–40 Post 2

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IV.
In the last post I asked (as I often do) what, in this passage, captured your attention the most.

Today, I want to offer a different question to guide us into this Scripture.

As you spend time with the passage, what do you sense is most important? Maybe you notice it as the event or words that strike you with the most force; or what you see and hear as the core of the passage, what all else follows from; or even what you consider the “hinge” of the passage – it opens the rest of the reading to you.

V.
Acts 2:1-8, 14-24, 37-40

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

Now there were devout Jews from every people under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language?

But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Fellow Jews and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

‘In the last days it will be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.
Even upon my slaves, both men and women,
in those days I will pour out my Spirit,
and they shall prophesy.
And I will show portents in the heaven above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and smoky mist.
The sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.
Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

“Fellow Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know— this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. But God raised him up, having released him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power.

Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.” And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”

VI.
What stood out to you as the focal point of these words?

What helps you, leads you, to make sense of the rest of the passage?

If nothing struck you with that force, rest in your reading of the passage for a time, then return to it to notice what you hear.

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections Acts 2:1–8, 14–24, 37–40 Post 1

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I.
Last week our focus was on Ascension Day and this week we jump ahead 10 days to the Day of Pentecost.

There is a lot happening in this Scripture passage and I confess I am challenged to select a focus.

Let’s begin by slowly reading these verses a couple of times. Take note of what draws your attention and rest in that image or those images for a time.

II.
Acts 2:1-8

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

Now there were devout Jews from every people under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language?

Acts 2:14-24

But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Fellow Jews and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

‘In the last days it will be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.
Even upon my slaves, both men and women,
in those days I will pour out my Spirit,
and they shall prophesy.
And I will show portents in the heaven above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and smoky mist.
The sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.
Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

“Fellow Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know— this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. But God raised him up, having released him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power.

Acts 2:37-40

Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.” And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”

III.
I would love to hear what image captured your attention the most.

Tongues of fire? Speaking and hearing in multiple languages? The “bewildered” crowd? Peter’s sermon? Peter’s relating what was going on that day with the word from Joel? Or Peter’s challenge to the crowd to “repent and be baptized … Save yourselves”

Yes, a lot of images to hold our attention.

Where are you today? What image and/or word(s) hold your attention today?

Why do you sense that it captures you today?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections April 30 2023 Acts 1:1–11 Post 3

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VII.
As we return to this passage, I invite you to notice Jesus has been with the disciples “during forty days” after the resurrection; he tells them to “wait … for the promise of the Father … the Holy Spirit;” and he leaves the disciples after they question him about “the kingdom,” and they are left “gazing upward.”

VIII.
Acts 1:1-11 (NRSVue)

In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and teach until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait there for the promise of the Father. “This,” he said, “is what you have heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

IX.
What has always captured my attention on Ascension Day is that Jesus is “leaving” his disciples once again.

Oh, it is certainly not like when he died on the cross and was buried.

They spend an evening, a night, a day, and until sunrise the next day before any hope returned to them.

Maybe I overstate the case by saying “any hope.” They had hope, at least some of them did, I suspect, but it was hope while the time was still filled with his death in a very real sense.

And here we see he has spent 40 days with them, “appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.” And, “While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait there for the promise of the Father…. [and said] ‘you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’”

Then he is gone again.

I have to wonder about how they felt. How did they experience his “leaving” them again?

He did leave them with a promise. Maybe they understood something about the being “baptized with the Holy Spirit” or maybe not.

Then what about “not many days from now”?

What is it like for you to wait? Does waiting come easy for you or does impatience come easier?

As we try to experience, with these disciples, these 10 days of waiting – from Ascension Day to the Day of Pentecost – maybe we can think about what it might be to wait with grace and with confidence in what God promises.

What do you think?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections April 30 2023 Acts 1:1–11 Post 2

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IV.
Notice that Jesus tells the disciples, “… to wait for the promise of the Father…. you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

How do they reply?

V.
Acts 1:1-11 (NRSVue)

In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and teach until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait there for the promise of the Father. “This,” he said, “is what you have heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

VI.
Hearing they are to wait (apparently for “… not many days …”), they seem to connect this with the restoration of the Kingdom to Israel.

Are they on the right track?

They are told, “It is not for you to know the times or periods…” And they are told “ … you will receive power …”

And then Jesus leaves them on their own again.

And for the moment he has left them without the restoration of the Kingdom or this promised power.

Is it any surprise they are left “gazing up toward heaven,” and maybe with some unanswered questions?

Do you think they are waiting with a sense of joyful expectation or with questions and restlessness?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}